1) The tsunami in Asia and the
hurricane season, reminding us that society still relies on nature and
that an extreme weather event like Katrina can have dire consequences
beyond the widespread loss of life (in Katrina's case, a breakdown in
the social system and inflated fuel costs).

2) The public's response to these
natural disasters. Relief in the form of monetary contributions and donations
of time to host refugees and volunteer for clean-up and rebuilding efforts
was the most significant civil society effort of 2005—in fact, it
was unprecedented.

What's ahead?

1) We will step up our preparations
for natural disasters.

2) In response to fears
that this year's hurricanes were the result of global climate change,
subnational bodies will redouble their efforts to create policies to regulate
greenhouse gases. Right now, for instance, almost 200 mayors around the
United States are working to implement the "U.S. Mayors'
Climate Protection Agreement." Because the national government
will not move forward in any meaningful way to regulate greenhouse gases
in 2006, subnational bodies will continue to challenge the Bush administration's
policies.

3) Survivors of Katrina and the
tsunami will receive less attention, even though their needs for assistance
will not abate.

Source
of Inspiration in 2005

Everyday
Politics,
by Harry Boyte, proposes that we reconsider how civil society, the
state and the market are related and that we think about "public
work" as a way of reconnecting citizens with public life.